B"H

Thursday, Shevat 8, 5784 / January 18, 2024

Parshat Bo, which will be read this Shabbat, is the Parsha in which the story of the Exodus is told. The Torah tells us that 600,000 men from age 20 and up left Egypt at the time of the Exodus. In addition, there were women and children.  Thus, a few million people left Egypt in the Exodus.

The Parsha begins with the last three plagues which G-d brought upon the Egyptians; the plague of locust, darkness and the death of the first-born.

The Torah describes the plague of darkness as follows, “There was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.  One did not see his own brother… But to all children of Israel there was light in their dwelling places.” 

Q. Why does the Torah use the expression, “One did not see his own brother,” to describe the severity of the darkness? 

A.  The stories in the Torah are important lessons for all generations. The Torah tells us that when one doesn't see the needs of his own brother, his own family, the needs of another human being, that is the affliction of, “The plague of darkness.

Hillel the Elder says, The mitzvah of “Love your fellow as yourself,” is the basis for the entire Torah.

A Jew emigrated to the U.S. from a small town in Poland and became very wealthy.  In the beginning he would still send some money to his family back home in Poland, but in time he became so involved in his business dealings that he completely forgot about his poor family in Poland.

Years later his brother also immigrated to the U.S.  He went to see his brother for help, but the rich man denied that he had a brother. The newcomer was sure it was his brother. No matter how much he tried, the rich man said that he had no brother and told him to leave.

Finally, he decided to try one more time. When the rich man opened the door his brother said to him, “I came to inform you that you better write a will as soon as possible, for you will soon die!”

“How dare you say that?” exclaimed the rich man. “I just had my yearly checkup and the doctor told me I am in excellent health!”

“I may not be a doctor,” said the brother, “But back home in our little village when one couldn’t recognize his own brother… we knew that he was extremely sick… and his days were numbered...”

The Torah in this week’s Parsha says, “To all children of Israel there was light in their dwelling places.” Indeed, we have to make sure that we see and feel for those in need and do our utmost to help them. In these difficult days, we must do whatever we can to help our brothers and sisters in Israel. May G-d protect them and bless them with victory and peace.

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY